Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik disappointed by treatment by PCB

Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik

Discarded Pakistan cricketers Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik have expressed their displeasure at the way they have been treated by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and have urged the board to develop a better communication network with the players. Both players last played an ODI for their country during the Champions Trophy in 2013 in England.

"I don't want to comment on our chances in the World Cup until I am selected. But honestly speaking I myself still don't know why they discarded me all of a sudden after the T20 World Cup. I was not even considered good enough to the make the pool of 40 players which was very disappointing," Akmal said, during a media interaction in Karachi.

Akmal also said that when he made the same errors as made by current gloveman Sarfaraz Ahmed, he was ripped apart in the media.

"No doubt Sarfaraz batted very well in the recent matches but as a keeper if I had made the mistakes he made behind the stumps you guys would have torn me to pieces," the 32-year-old said.

Kamran Akmal: Unfair to compare Umar Akmal with Kohli

He also came in the defence of his younger brother Umar Akmal, who he felt has been unfairly compared to India’s Virat Kohli.

"I don't want to go into the past but I would just say the management and authorities must give more confidence to the players – seniors and juniors. If a player knows he is wanted and supported, he will perform and give his best. In recent times some decisions have baffled me and others as well," he added.

Malik also felt that players who have the ability to handle pressure situations should be picked for a big event like the World Cup.

"Every team comes to win the tournament and matches so the players who can absorb the pressure and perform are the ones who should be in the team," he said in Karachi.

Both players are currently playing in Pakistan’s domestic ODI competition in Karachi. The Pakistan team for the World Cup will be picked on Wednesday.